Cape Town, Oct. 24 -- South Africa fast bowler Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the third and final Test against Australia due to a mild groin injury, dealing a blow to the hosts ahead of the series decider, with the contest currently level at 1-1.

Nortje sustained the injury during the fourth morning of the second Test at St George's Park in Gqeberha, leaving the field midway through his fourth over. He spent the remainder of the match in the dressing room, bringing an early end to his return to Test cricket, according to Cricinfo.

South Africa have not named a replacement for the fast bowler, with Gerald Coetzee, allrounder Corbin Bosch and Cape Town local Dane Paterson among the options to strengthen the pace attack for the final ...